Forgetfulone's Pages

Monday, December 29, 2008

Watch Out!

Eeeek! Augh! Watch Out!

I drive my husband crazy when I'm a passenger in the car with him. It is so hard to sit quietly in the front seat while he's driving too close to the curb or makes a lane change in heavy traffic. It's not that I don't trust him. It's the other driver you have to watch out for.

I was in a major car accident in January of 2001. I was a single mom at the time, driving my kids to pre-school before I headed to work on the first day back after the new year. The twins were in the built-in car seats of the van. I was driving down the road, minding my own business - isn't that always the case?

All of a sudden, there was a white, brand-new Nissan Exterra sitting in the middle of the road. Seriously. The driver had pulled out into traffic and couldn't decide if there was a turning lane there for her to get in, so she stopped. In the middle of the road. Perpendicular to my van.

There was nothing for me to do. Nowhere to go. It happened so fast. I swerved, but I had to hit her. The air bag blew up in my face slamming me against the door. I couldn't move my arm to open the door with my left hand. Luckily, people stopped to help, the police responded quickly, and my dad was there in minutes to take the kids. Thank God they were completely uninjured.

I, on the other hand, had to ride to the hospital in an ambulance on a hard board with my neck in a brace. That is not fun! Aside from other minor injuries, my shoulder was broken in an odd place, and I spent the next nine months in physical therapy. And the van was "totalled." Luckily, the woman driving the Exterra had good insurance, and she was very gracious in admitting her fault. But, can you see how that would make me a nervous passenger?

oh wow. thats terrible. thankfull for the kids, they didnt get hurt.do you suffer any today from that broken bone? im a nerveous rider too, my husband is careless i think at times. and i dont drive i have a phobia in big city's. we live in San Antonio, TX. But we are moving back home to Northern New York in a few weeks. hope you are doign well. i like your blog.

I so agree with you...it's the OTHER drivers we need to WATCH. Why just a few months ago, in a parking lot, as we were in the driveway getting ready to pull out on the street, the van ahead of us also waiting to pull out, decides to back up to allow a pedestrian to cross the walk....he backed right into me! Backed up without looking. Damage to the car, but geez....some drivers. Y'know? Glad you were okay.

Great post.

My HoT is posted. I have a 'watch' cat, sunrise, history and movies today.

I trust my Poor Hubby to get me where I'm going much more than I trust myself. I was rear-ended last year & everytime someone else (never Poor Hubby) cuts us off or something, I tense up. Can't help it. I know what it's like!! I'm a much observant driver now, though!

Oh HOW scary Diane!! Thank god you weren't hurt worse and the kids were okay! I am the WORST passenger! I slam my hand against the passenger door in fear everytime I get scared and end up SCARING the beejeebees out of the driver! I have also been in a few accidents and It scares me so much! lately, i feel the drivers out there are just SO SO ridiculously distracted! it makes driving more risky than ever.

the last time I drove, I brought the kids on back seat all were asleep. suddenly from the mirror I saw Ar was about to fall. instead of keep driving, I turned my body back and tried to keep Ar from falling from the seat.

result: I turned me steer, and my car, the same way I turned my body. it climbed up a park and tore up the left front wheel.